MANCHESTER, Tenn. -- There is a serious threat to the supply of water for more than a 250,000 people in Tennessee.

Video: Area Lake Facing Drought Levels

Normandy Lake, located in Coffee County, is losing a foot of water every two weeks, and it has left several cities wondering whether they will be out of water by springtime.

"We're steadily headed back to where it was last year," said resident Amy Hardison.

While Normandy has more water in it than this time last year, the same fears about running out of water are back. The region is still struggling with a drought, and the reservoir is losing a foot every 14 to 16 days.

If the lake loses 19 feet more, 250,000 people, including the cities of Manchester, Columbia and Tullahoma, will be severely affected.

"If we stay in this pattern without any rainfall we're looking at sometime in the spring being in a critical situation of running out of water," said Doug Murphy of the Duck River Agency.

Murphy said he was hoping the state will allow less water to be released from the Normandy Dam just like last year.

But the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation said the environmental review process would take too long to have an impact.

People who live in the area will once again be asked to do their part.

"Before long, we'll probably be looking at going into voluntary conservation with the general citizens that depend on water supply from Normandy Reservoir," said Murphy.

"I think it's kind of scary. We like to water our lawns, wash our cars, other people have livestock. People are having to bring water in for their gardens or livestock so it's concerning," said Hardison.

Because of the area's recent problems, the state is working on coming up with a long-term drought management plan for Normandy Reservoir. However, some fear the plan might not be in place soon enough to conserve enough water this winter.

Local water departments will meet before Christmas to consider whether or not to impose voluntary water restrictions.